Are you a horse owner or barn manager who wants the best for your horses and the environment? Are you interested in improving pasture conditions by increasing forage quality, reducing weeds and maintaining a dense vegetative cover? Are you interested in developing a manure storage facility that benefits your farm and the environment? Are you aware all farms, as of Fall 2011, regardless of size, applying or producing manure, are required to have a written manure management plan?

The "Healthy Farms and Healthy Horses; Manure Management Plan Writing" is a one day workshop dedicated to help equine owners complete their own manure management plan and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to adopt sound best management practices for their farm and horses.

The short course will be held at the PPL Wallenpaupack Environmental Center in Wayne County on Friday, March 22th from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost for the short course is $10, which includes lunch, and course materials.

The full day workshop will include topics ranging from developing farm maps to proper manure and pasture management. Learn about the nutritional benefits and health risks associated with grazing; basics of forage growth, biology and identification; rotational grazing and stress lots. Understand the importance of, and how to take soil samples, and the benefits of liming and fertilizing. Learn the do’s and don’ts of manure spreading and storing, while completing your manure management plan and complying with state regulations.